Having my son’s friends over during half term?

[QueenofmyPrinces]

It’s half term here and tomorrow I have invited over one of son’s best friends who is in his class at school.

My mum was pretty outraged when o mentioned it as apparently I shouldn’t be having other children in my home.

I explained that they spend all day together at school so what difference does it make whether they’re together in school or in our home?!

She wasn’t convinced though.

I am right though aren’t I?

It’s fine for him to have a friend over isn’t it?

We don’t live in an area of heightened restrictions.

Hope the kids have a lovely afternoon playing

I'm so glad you decided to go ahead. I hope they've had fun!

They had a really lovely time! They were really well behaved so I didn’t have to go up to them at all - I just sat on the floor below them enjoying a cup of tea!!

When his mum knocked to pick him up, I shouted up the stairs to him and he just made his own way to the front door.

I probably spent about 30 seconds in his presence for the duration of his time here.

So yes, very glad I let him come over and I don’t feel like I’ve put any of us at risk.

@Aragog

Anyone who really believes that children are in any way SDing within school are very naive.

I know what the government and the DfE say is happening in schools but if you truly believe there is ANY form of SDing, especially in infant age classes then you are massively mistaken.

I work in an infant school and within classes there is NO social distancing at all. None. And it isn't expected either.

These children are sat directly one another. They don't always sit next to the same child. During continuous provision and playtimes they mix in close contact with even more. There is no attempt to keep them separated. They are always within touching distance.

It isn't even possible for the teacher and TA to SD from the children in these classes. I know. I teach across 9 classes of this age, again no SDing is possible between them abd between them and staff.

Even though I've taken extra care as I'm clinically vulnerable, I have now tested positive for Covid and have spent the past 10/11 days in bed so far. It was inevitable sadly. Chances of me having caught it elsewhere are minimal.

I don't think it is naive to believe what my dc and their teachers are telling me?

They had to bring in their own stationery with their name on everything and are not allowed to touch anyone elses. They even had to bring a whiteboard marker as they cannot touch the teacher's. The equipment stays in school, they are not allowed to bring school bags to school. This meant having to buy two lots of everything, including scientific calculators.

They sit in the same seat everyday, next to the same child. There is a strict no touch policy - my dc told me that she is desperate to hug her friend, but not allowed. They are not allowed to play football or tag at breaktime. One of my DC DID play tag anyway and was given a week of lunchtime detentions and his form teacher rang me to inform me.

I have 3 DC and 3 different schools and all work the same way.

Please don't assume that every school operates in the same manner as yours.

I hope you feel better soon I am sure you would have preferred that parents kept you safer by minimising their DC's contacts outside of school.

Please don't assume that every school operates in the same manner as yours.

I don't but then I also don't know of any primary school where there is SDing, or any secondary which is managing to keep all children apart all the time, regardless of what the DfE and the Government are saying.

I am surprised to read that all three of your DC's schools are managing it to this extent - it certainly doesn't appear to be the norm for the schools I work with, know of or have friend's DC at (primary and secondary) It simply isn't possible in many schools.
It's great that your DC's schools are able to do this, though also - in some ways - sad that children are having to be punished for playing.

Whilst I would prefer not to have Covid what I'd prefer not to be happening is for children not to be in school full of colds, etc but I know that's not going to happen. Sadly I knew this was likely inevitable as soon as I returned - my personal role making it even more likely, despite my efforts to keep as covid secure as I could.

Private - seeing as you’re talking about scientific calculators and week long detentions I assume the children you refer to aren’t 6 years old?

I imagine SD is much easier to maintain and uphold when the children are older.

It’s good your schools are being so vigilant but I imagine not many primary schools are able to achieve that.